Vintage Needlepoint Lampshades

09/30/2018

I'm excited to share with you the news that my shop is featured in the new issue of Where Women Create. It's issue #4, Oct-Dec 2018. Sometimes the magazine can be hard to find; they note that they are sold at Whole Foods, Costco, Barnes and Noble. There is also a magazine search by zip code on their website. I know my local bookstore usually carries it. Joanne's Fabrics also sells it.

Years ago I went to a brunch in Saratoga, NY. that was hosted by Amanda Crames at her shop Schuyler Pond Home and Gift Shop. Jo Packham, Editor of Where Women Create was the featured speaker at the brunch. I was curious to hear Jo's story as I loved with her magazines. What a story she tells about creating her magazines! I got a message from my good friend and photographer/ stylist Matthew Mead about a possible story for W.W.Create and I was game! I always enjoy my visits with Matthew and his wife Jenny. They are a great team. OOOh, but taking off all the plastic wrap off most of my lampshades is quite a project. It's certainly worth the effort!!! Most of us with micro one lady businesses don't have much of an advertising budget and anytime our shops are featured in a national magazine it's a good day.

When Matthew was here in Southern Vermont he also visited my friend Janno's adorable Flower Brook Pottery Shop in Dorset. She will be featured in a future issue of What Women Create, another of their magazines.

The cover of the new issue of Where Women Create. Hope you get a chance to pick up an issue.

Here is a new shade I just finished. The lampshade features a pair of birds on vintage needlepoint with vintage ticking fabrics. Here is my Etsy shop link: Needlepoint Bird Lampshade

This was a tricky lampshade to design! Some fall together easy and some push me to search out every nook in my shop to find the right pieces to the puzzle! It was a fun challenge. The shade is 9.5" high and 12" across the bottom. I also prepped this pretty shade on the same day! IT was a needlepoint day. I find that my day to day schedule in my shop caters to fulfilling my customer orders and restocking my Etsy Shop and then I can tackle those projects I've been wanting to make. I'd say I like the making process but if I had my druthers I love designing most!

This shade is an inverted cut corner rectangle. I called it Periwinkle Violets Lampshade. I have recently started carrying the lamps of Vermont's own Simon Pierce Glass. You can see how this is a great combination together.

I'll wrap up today with this pretty pair of lampshades in one of my favorite vintage French printed cottons. These vintage fabrics are extremely hard to find; they will not be here forever! One of the hardest parts of my business is trying to educate my customers of the limited quantities of these beauties. Folks often are not aware how much time we spend sourcing our materials....of course that is the best part of my business....it's such fun picking up little packages of vintage fabrics that make their way over the Atlantic to my little shop in Pawlet, VT! Such treasures they are.

Hope you will pick up my article in Where Women Create and swing by my shop. I am usually in my shop Mon-Sat. 10-5 and closed Wed and Sunday. Columbus Day weekend I will be open on Sunday.

Leaf update: I was out driving in the countryside today and the leaf color is making progress. Still away to go around here. All the plants were a little behind this year. All I know is that my raspberries will be a bumper crop IF we don't get a frost for a bit. This weekend ought to be heading towards peak.

04/26/2015

It's that time of year again! At last. What a LONG winter and chilly spring. I'm prepping lots of new projects for The Brimfield Flea Market. I was going to take a break this year, but decided to try a new spot at The New England Motel Show. And I think it's a winner! Great spot in the center of the show on the main road into the place. I'm at booth #103. And my good friend Judy Pascal and her daughter are setting up right behind me! I'm thrilled they will be so close by.

Just finished this vintage bird needlepoint. 6" top x 8" bottom x 6" high. I've taken a break listing on my Etsy Shop, Lampshadelady as I'm in showtime prep! So if you see anything here you love, just email me and I'll pop it in the mail. The show is celebrating it's 30th year and having a early preview on Tuesday May 12th, 3-6pm. $20 early entrance fee which is also good for Wednesday, too. Opens Wed. 13th at 6am daybreak.

Basket full of Grain Sack Drum Shades to be finished for the show! Using up my scraps @ $20.

I'm pretty fond of this pair. Just had the fabric arrive from France! So pretty and rare. I find that I tend to do my favorite work just before shows; it's a pattern I've watched over the years. I think it has to do with the fact that time is limited and I have had projects I've wanted to do for months and finally get time to do them.

Just finished this pair of rectangle bell grain sack lampshades. Loving this shape. Grain Sack fabric is pretty hard on the hands but looks so great and popular. A pair of vintage crewel shades in progress for this week to finish.

Panels of a Fortuny Fabric Shade, amazing color! Will be to die for!

This year marks my 30th year of making lampshades. I started making shades when we moved to Southern Vermont in 1985. How could it possibly be that long. I haven't had my business that whole time, but it got it's start all those years ago. The first 5 years was a slow start experimenting with the craft as I was a young mom grabbing bits of time to be creative. It's been a fun ride and finally feel like I'm at the top of my game as long as my little hands hold out, they sure do take some abuse cutting styrene and heavy fabrics.

Hope you make it down to Brimfield! New England Motel Show is in the middle of the fields on RT 20 in Brimfield, just west of Sturbridge, MA. There's 20 plus shows opening Tues-Sunday. Don't forget the comfy shoes, water and money!

05/26/2012

Here's a funky toille lamp I found this winter. I cleaned it up a little with some linen paint and added a new base. I'm still working on the shade, next photo. I am going to use the needle point, but still need to source the linen for the sides. Needlepoint front panel for the shade and ??? for the sides. Sometimes things are a slow process! Just finished this funky lamp and shade. Love the Japanese Gauze fabric with this wacky lamp. Just made this shade this week. Lovely hand embroidered antique linen. Quite exquisite. Vintage Grainsack Rectangle in the back and Uno Scallop Shade in front. All shades are available at my Etsy Store, Lampshade Lady. a table full of shades loving this combo. Lamp is a new arrival. I do have a pair of these right now. front porch at the shop flag reflection in the front window, Happy Memorial Day. it's reflecting in this window, too. looks watercolory. sweet cottage chenille shade vintage grainsacks......never have enough. last shade made today! persimmon vintage floral hex bell. Made from a small piece of choice vintage cotton, only enough for ONE shade... the story of my business. But then your neighbors won't have one:)

02/18/2011

I will be showing some of the most recent shades in my shop. I will list the price, size and cost. If you see something you would like, email me or give me a call 802-32-6308. Due to the nature of one of a kind inventory this seems to be the easiest solution. Or come visit the shop. Open 5 days, generally 10-5, closed wed and sun. #1) A pair of scallop clip hex shades. I am showing a pair, but it is not necessary to purchase both. Super pretty hydranga cotton trimmed with a sage green. size 5"top x 10" bottom x 7" high. cost $85.each The Hydranga shade lit up. #2) A pair of hex bell vintage paisley wood block shades. Size 5"top x 8" bottom x 6" high. Cost $68 each. Trimmed with a vintage paisley and soustache. detail detail shade lit.love this!

#3) I made a pair of these. Hex clip Vintage Mangle Cloth, 5"top x 10" bottom x7" high. $75 each. nice for the beach. shade lit. I also have 7 of these in a candleabra sq. 2x2x4 @45. w/ discount 4 or more.

#6) A Pair of hex bell, 5" top x 10" bottom x 7" high. Washer top, can be converted to be clip top (often this size needs to clip on). $75 each. Vintage embroidery with gold treads running through parts of this. Trimmed with the edging of the vintage dresser scarf.Detail of shade. top detail ooh la la, so warm when it's lit up!

#9) one of a kind, Vintage Pillow Ticking, sweet for a little girls room. 5"top x 8" bottom x 6"high. $68 I also have the size up from this, too.detail of shade and trim on bottom top detail. warm light. #10) Looks like spring! 5" top x 8" bottom x 6" high, Hex bell clip top made from a vintage embroidery dresser scarf. Rick rack on top and vintage crochet on the bottom. So girly! Will give nice light, too. $68.

#11) This was today's fun project. Vintage needlepoint from Belgium. Ever so sweet for a little guy's room. So hard to find cool little boy things! Vintage French Ticking on rest of panels. Size 9" top x 14" bottom x 9" high. cost $95. detail of the top trim and needlepoint detail.

#12) last shade for today. Early French Toile, 5" top x 8" bottom x 6" high. One of a kind. Trim with ticking. $68. Clip on.

another panel of shade. beautiful fabric.

Happy Friday. We had almost 2 days of spring here in Pawlet. I heard from my friend Scott that the sap is starting to flow. Yipee! A sign that winter may be wrapping up, sort of.... cold again tomorrow and sunday.

If you see anything you need, I can UPS it out to you. I do wholesale,too, but w/ significant first order.....shop tel. 802-325-6308. I accept most credit cards.

12/03/2009

I love when the day starts off with a good project. I am sneaking a day away from my orders to make a few shades for the shop. The constant battle, do I fill orders or get to play with my favorite flea market finds. Here's a super pretty french needlepoint. It's so arty and elegant which led me to use this cut corner rectangle bell which is 9" high and 12" across the bottom.Here it is lite up. I've used a raw linen for the rest of the panels and a velvet braid for top and bottom. Cost $150. Such a special treat. My newest shop favorite.Here;s a slightly fuzzy detail. Some interesting stiches.Next up today was a finishing a pair of hex clip vintage French Ticking. It's a red time of year.... so getting a few made for the shop. 5" top x 10" bottom x 7" high. $75 each. They clip onto the light bulb.

The European grain sacks have had their day in the sun. And they do make nice shades, too. A bit thick to use for trimming, but works fine for the panels. I used a lighter weight for the self-trims. This is a one of a kind. $75.00